Answers sought in Portsmouth lobsterman's death

Wednesday

Jul 24, 2013 at 2:00 AM

PORTSMOUTH — The investigation into the drowning death of lobsterman Anthony "Tony" Rahn remained ongoing Tuesday, as authorities said they hope to learn more about the tragedy through autopsy results.

Charles McMahon

PORTSMOUTH — The investigation into the drowning death of lobsterman Anthony "Tony" Rahn remained ongoing Tuesday, as authorities said they hope to learn more about the tragedy through autopsy results.

Lt. Michael Eastman, district chief for the N.H. Fish and Game Department's Law Enforcement Seacoast area district, said investigators need the result of an autopsy conducted Monday before they can determine what caused Rahn to die in the Piscataqua River.

Eastman said Tuesday that Rahn's body was recovered floating in the area of Memorial Bridge at approximately 1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 20. Rahn's body was found a little more than 24 hours after he was reported missing while diving from a small lobster boat.

Eastman said a Fish and Game dive crew had just completed a search of the river when a N.H. Marine Patrol boat spotted Rahn's body. Rahn was found without his weight belt, which Eastman said could be an indication of the river current's strength.

Eastman said it is too early to tell if Rahn, 69, suffered a cardiac event or if he was caught in something on the river bottom.

"It's hard to tell until you get a definitive answer from the autopsy," he said.

Rahn, a longtime lobsterman and diver, went missing while diving in the area of the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge at about 10:45 a.m. Friday, July 19.

He was working on a 17-foot lobster boat and was reportedly checking a trawling line before he went missing, authorities said. Rahn had about one hour of air in his oxygen tank when he entered the water.

Crews searched until the evening hours and resumed the effort the next morning.

The search was challenging, according to Eastman, because crews had limited visibility and had to battle strong currents.

Side scan sonar was also used to try to locate Rahn, however, that also proved difficult due to the large amount of debris located on the river bottom, Eastman said.

"Not only are there lobster traps, but there are logs, and from my understanding, there is an old locomotive near the Sarah Long and a car near the center span," Eastman said. "It's pretty dangerous."

As authorities work to find answers, Rahn's loved ones are preparing to hold his funeral Thursday, July 25, at the North Congregational Church in Market Square in Portsmouth. The service begins at 10 a.m.

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